Alumni stories highlighted in media interviews

Sharing the stories of our alumni – whether of their greatest accomplishments, their personal encounters, their quiet victories or their journey to self-discovery – brings us great joy. With 33,000 alumni, it’s impossible to tell every story so we’re always grateful when other sources recognize those in our Stritch community who are distinguishing themselves.

Recently, several women and men found a spotlight shined on them. Here is a glimpse at the latest news in their lives:

Sarah Rao (M.S. Educational Leadership, ’13) earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards after a rigorous eight-month process. Rao, an English Language Learners teacher at West Elementary School in Jefferson, Wisconsin, shares this professional distinction and accomplishment with only six other educators in her school district and 1,080 Wisconsin educators. The Jefferson Daily Union newspaper interviewed Rao, recounting her teaching journey thus far and her decision to pursue the NBPTS certification.

Angela Quigley (M.B.A., ’06) and husband Greg are distinguishing themselves as authorities on the wedding scene in Milwaukee, thanks to the success of their Married in Milwaukee website. In 2015, they expanded to a second website, Married in Chicago.

In addition, the Quigleys have remained connected to Stritch by offering student internship opportunities.

In spring 2016, Nasra Wehelie (M.B.A., ’08) caught the attention of Madison365, and media partner Madison Channel3000.com published a piece about the organization and her involvement. She serves as the development director for the Madison-area Urban Ministry and also started the Muslim Youth of Madison organization.

Brian Koehler (B.A. Theater, ’02) is the technical director and head of the technical department for the Performing Arts Center at Moorpark College in Moorpark, California. The college’s MC Student Voice publication recently featured an interview with Koehler by student writer America Castillo that shared details of his educational and professional career, including the happenstance way he discovered his love for theater while an undergraduate at Stritch.

Doug Clemons, (B.M. Music, ’12) continues to set the Milwaukee stage on fire after a series of reviews offering high praise for his work. His latest comes from Mike Fischer, special to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who reviewed a spring 2016 musical production of “Ernest in Love,” which was a collaboration between In Tandem Theatre and Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Clemons played Algy.

In February 2016, he starred in a one-man musical show, the Umbrella Group Theatre’s “The View from Here” and appeared on The Morning Blend show on WTMJ-TV. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a review with the headline “Watching Doug Clemons is the best part of ‘The View From Here.” Among the praise for Clemons, reviewer Fischer wrote, “Exhibiting impeccable control, beautifully expressive modulation, occasional operatic flourishes and dashes of humor (abetted by an intermittent and playful call and response with Bill Seaman’s trumpet), Clemons sings with such commitment and conviction that one comes to root for and even believe in the novelist…”

WISN-TV in Milwaukee named MAT student Siggy Spelter as April 2016 Top Teacher and featured him a news broadcast. The reporter surprised him with the news of his honor as he taught his 5th grade class at Hayes Bilingual School, which is part of Milwaukee Public Schools.

The hiring of former Stritch men’s basketball player Derek Woelffer, (B.A. Sport Management, ’13) as the girls’ head coach in Menomonee Falls High School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, garnered some local media attention. Menomonee Falls NOW printed an extensive story about his basketball career and credentials and his overall coaching philosophy.

Kathy (Valente) Andreucci (B.A. Education, ’84) received a Shamrock Shout Out on the Brookfield NOW blog that focuses on life at St. John Vianney School in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where Andreucci works as a 4K teacher. She answered several questions about her work and her personal life.

In November 2015, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interviewed Shaun Marefka (B.S. Management, ’10). He appears both in print and in a brief video feature on their website. Marefka is the director of retail for the Milwaukee Bucks, which debuted a new logo in 2015.

A performer with Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Schaumburg, Illinois, Shawn Block (Theater, ’06), shared with the Chicago Tribune on Feb. 7, 2016, details of his path to working in the 21st-century medieval world. He portrays Lord Chancellor, the emcee and his duties include behind-the-scenes work as cast manager, “hiring and overseeing 14 performers that include falconers, trumpeters, princesses and kings.”

We love to hear what’s happening in your life and, even more, what brought you to that place in your journey. So please reach out to us with news of your grand moments in life as well as your more humble steps. If you already were featured in a news story like the alumni above, please send us the link and, when possible, a photo of yourself. Email us at alumni@stritch.edu or submit your updates at http://www.stritch.edu/Alumni/Stay-Connected/Update-Your-Information/.